Binocular stroboscope



- May 26, 1959 J. MISURACA BINOCULAR STROBOSCOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 29, 1955 IN VEN TOR.

Tram/EM I May 26, 1959 L. J. MISURACA BINOCULAR STROBOSCOPE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1955 Lou/s Max/e404,

INVENTOR.

W 4 M ng lrrapmsy United States Patent" 2,887,928 BINOCULAR srnonoscornLouis Misuraca, Glendale, Calif, assignor of one-half to Morgan L.Misuraca, Gardena, Calif.

This invention relates to a stroboscope and, more particularly, to acompact, light-weight stroboscope which can be utilized without theprovision of the usual light source commonly necessary in the use ofconventional stroboscopes.

Most stroboscopic instruments available for use and purchase at thepresent time are relatively complex expensive instruments whichnecessitate the darkening of a room in which they are utilized and theprovision of a built-in or auxiliary light source operated inconjunction with the stroboscope. Therefore, the use of stroboscopes bysmall machine shops, automobile mechanics, and the like, has beenlimited because of the cost and environmental factors inherent in theuse of conventional stroboscopes.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a stroboscopewhich is of light-weight, compact construc tion and which can beutilized without thenecessity for darkening the area in which it isapplied and which will function properly in ordinary room or outdoorlight. Because of its adaptability in this regard, the stroboscope of myinvention can be utilized in field applications of various types and itis particularly useful because of its relatively small size and lightweight. I

An additional object of my invention is the vprovision of a stroboscopeof the aforementioned character which includes a housing incorporating abinocular eyepiece, said housing having mounted; therein an elongated,cylindrical shutter which is rotatable by a motor secured to saidhousing. A headband or support is provided to which the housing issecured and thus the entire stroboscope assembly, with the exception ofthe means for individual utilizing said assembly, thus freeing the handsof the individual for adjusting a device being analyzed, for takingnotes, or the like.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a energizing thesame, can be mounted on the head of an 1 stroboscope of theaforementioned character wherein the his eyes during the observation ofa device being analyzed.

The binocular construction of the stroboscope is advantageous because itpermits natural, three-dimensional .observation of a mechanism withconsequent improved analysis of the structure and operation thereof.This is in contrast to conventional monocular constructions wherein thelight transmitted is reduced and there is a loss of definition anddepth.

A further object of my. invention is the provision of a stroboscope oftheaforementioned character wherein.

the aforesaid facilitate the viewing of a device being ob served. I j

An additional object of my invention is the provision,

in a stroboscope of the aforementioned character, of a revolutioncounter, said revolution counter being in- 2,887,928 Patented May 26,1959 corporated in the housing of the stroboscope and being energizableby means of an extension on the rotatable shutter.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a light-weight,compact stroboscope which can be used under exacting field conditionsand which can, nevertheless, be manufactured at a reasonable cost andsold for a moderate price.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partly sectional view of an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 isa perspective View of a modified form of the stroboscope shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the stroboscope shown in sectionin Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken on the broken line 5 5 ofFig. 4; v

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken on the broken line 6-6 ofFig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the rotatable shutterlocated in a different position from Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the broken line8-5-8 ofFig. 5; and

Fig; 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing a differentposition ofthe extension on the rotatable shutter.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-5 thereof, I showa stroboscope 10 constructed in accord;- ance with the teachings of myinvention, said stroboscope including a substantially rectangularhousing 12 which incorporates, as a portion thereof, a binoculareyepiece 14 adapted, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to bejuxtaposed to the eyes of a user of the device to facilitate theutilization of the stroboscope 10 in viewing the operation of amechanism, generally indicated at 16.

, The housing 12 may be formed from plastic, die-cast metal, or the likeand is, as best shown in Figs. 1-2

"and 4-9 of the drawings, provided in the forward portion thereof with ashutter receiving chamber 18 whose forward wall 20 is configured todefine a semi-cylindrical enclosure 22 having an elongated viewingaperture or slot 24 provided therein.

Located within the chamber 18 is an elongated, hollow, cylindricalshutter 26 which is fabricated, in the present embodiment of myinvention, from an aluminum tube ;28. Formed in the tube 28 constitutingthe shutter 26 are diametrically opposed pairs of viewing openings 30and 32 whichare successively registerable with the viewing aperture 24in the semi-cylindrical enclosure 22,to

permit an individual utilizing the stroboscope 10 to obtain anintermittent view of'the operation of the mecha- -nism 16.

The elongated tube 28 constituting the shutter 26 has trunnions 34 and36 mounted in its opposite extremities the trunnion 34 being mounted forrotation in a ball bearing 40 located in a boss 42 on the forward wall20 of the shutter receiving chamber 18. j l

The trunnion 36 is of greater diameter and length than the trunnion 34and extends through an'opening 44 into an auxiliary counter chamber 46.A diametrical slot 48 is provided in the trunnion 36 and the portion ofsaid trunnion incorporating said slot is' encompassed by a cylindricalenclosure 50 which is mounted in a web 52 dividing the auxiliary,counter chamber 46 into a light source compartment 54 and a photocellcompartment 56. i

A pair of oppositely disposed openings 58 is formed in the wall of thecylindrical enclosure 50 and the opposite ends of the diametrical slot48 in the trunnion 36 are registerable therewith. Disposed in the lightsource compartment 54 of the housing 12 is a light bulb 62 and there islocated in the photocell compartment 56 a conventional photoelectriccell 64 which is connected in a conventional flip-flop electroniccircuit, not shown.

A motor housing 70 is threadedly engaged upon the housing 12 adjacentthe light source and photoelectric cell compartments 54 and 56,respectively, and incorporates a motor 72, the armature 74 of which isoperatively connected as at 76 to the end of the trunnion 36 of theshutter 26, thus causing rotation of the shutter 26 within itscompartment 18. Instead of direct securement of the motor 72 to theshutter 26, it is possible to interpose a flexible shaft therebetween toestablish the operative connection thereof. To prevent possible injuryto the eyes of a user of the stroboscope 10 by the breaking orshattering of the shutter 26, there is provided in the housing 12 aprotective viewing glass 78 which isolates the shutter chamber orcompartment 18 from physical, but not visual, relationship with the eyesof the user of the stroboscope 10.

A cord 80 is connected to the electric motor 72 through a plug 81 andthere is interposed in said wire a rheostat 84, as best shown in Fig. 1of the drawings, for controlling the speed of rotation of the shutter 26and thus synchronizing the speed of rotation of saidmotor with themovement of the mechanism 16.

If desired, the rheostat 84 can be incorporated in the motor housing 70,as best shown in Figs. 23 and 5 of the drawings. Since the stroboscopeis designed for field and other uses, there is usually provided inconjunction therewith a battery, not shown, for providing electricalenergy through the cord 80 to the motor 72. Thus the cord 80 willincorporate at least four conductors, two for the motor circuit and twofor the photocell circuit. In addition, a fifth conductor might beincluded to ground the stroboscope, if desired.

In order to facilitate the temporary use of the stroboscope 10, there isprovided a demountable handle 86 upon the motor housing 70 whereby theuser of the stroboscope 10 can hold the eyepiece 14 adjacent his eyes inviewing the operation of the mechanism 16. However, when the need forcontinued use of the stroboscope 10 arises, or when it is necessary forthe user of the stroboscope to adjust the mechanism being observed withboth hands, a headband 90 can be utilized for mounting the stroboscope10 in juxtaposition to the eyes of the user of the same. The headband 90is provided with mounting arms 92 which engage in loops 94 formed on thesides of the housing 12. Both the headband 90 and the arms 92 areadjustable to facilitate the movement of the eyepiece 14 and theheadband 94 when used by particular individuals.

When the headband is in use, the handle 86 can be demounted from themotor housing 70 and the headband 90 will maintain the stroboscope 10 inoperative relationship with the eyes of the user thereof.

In utilizing the stroboscope 10, it is merely necessary to juxtapose theeyepiece 14 thereof to the eyes of the viewer of the mechanism 16.Energization of the electric motor 72 by the rheostat 84 is readilyaccomplished and as the speed of rotation of the shutter 26 increases,it will ultimately reach a point wherein it is in synchro nism with themovement of the mechanism 16 being observed. The rheostat 84 permitsminute adjustment of the current fed through the lead 80 to the motor 72and, thus, the speed of rotation of the shutter 26 can be adjusted topermit continuous obsrevation of the mechanism '16 and to permit theviewing of the parts thereof as if they were stationary through theopposed viewing openings 30 and 32 in the shutter 26 and the juxtaposedviewing aperture 24 in the forward wall 20 of the shutter receivingchamber 18.

Since it is frequently desired to determine with suitable accuracy thespeed of rotation of a mechanism being observed, and since the speed ofrotation is in direct ratio with the speed of rotation of the shutter26, a rotation counter energizing means 96 constituted by the lightsource 62, the trunnion 36 and its associated photocell 64 is provided.Of course, the flip-flop circuit in which the photocell 64 isincorporated also constitutes an essential part of the rotation countersince, when the trunnion 36 rotates within its cylindrical enclosure 50,the opposite ends of the slot 48 will register with the oppositelydisposed openings 58 in the wall of the cylindrical enclosure 50 topermit the light from the light bulb 62 to reach the photocell 64 ateach half revolution of the trunnion 36 and thus the shutter 26.Therefore, the flip-flop circuit in which the photoelectric cell 64 isincorporated will be energized for each complete revolution of theshutter 26 to energize a counting mechanism, not shown, and to indicatethe speed of rotation of the shutter 26.

I thus provide by my invention a stroboscope which is characterized byits simplicity of construction, ease of utilization, and relatively lowcost of manufacture and selling price. The stroboscope is particularlyadapted for field use because of the fact that there is no necessity forproviding auxiliary, intermittent light sources, nor is there anynecessity for incorporating in the stroboscope itself a light source toilluminate the mechanism being observed.

The incorporation in the stroboscope of my invention of a light-weight,cylindrical shutter permits the overall size of the housingincorporating the same to be reduced and facilitates the mounting ofsaid shutter in bearings which permit it to be rotated at relativelyhigh speeds by a relatively low powered motor.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a stroboscope, the combination of: a housing having an eyepiecethereupon and incorporating an elongated shutter chamber having aviewing aperture in a wall thereof, said housing having an auxiliarycounting chamber and a motor chamber in axial alignment with saidshutter chamber at one end thereof; a motor mounted in said motorchamber; an elongated, hollow, cylindrical shutter in said shutterchamber connected to said motor and having a plurality of opposedviewing openings successively registerable with said aperture, saidshutter having a spindle extending into said counting chamber, saidspindle having a light passing opening therein; a light source in saidauxiliary chamber; a lightenergizable counter actuating means mounted insaid auxiliary counting chamber for determining the speed of rotation ofsaid shutter, said light-energizable counter being energized by thepassage of light through said opening in said spindle; and speedregulating means connected to said motor for regulating the speed ofrotation of said motor.

2. In a stroboscope, the combination of: a housing having an eyepiecethereupon and incorporating an elongated shutter chamber having aviewing aperture in a wall thereof, said housing having an auxiliarycounting chamber and a motor chamber in axial alignment with saidshutter chamber at one end thereof; a binocular shutter having opposedviewing openings successively registerable with said aperture, saidshutter having an extension projecting into said auxiliary chamber andprovided with a diametrical light passing opening therein; a motor insaid motor chamber operatively connected to said shutter; a light sourcein said auxiliary chamber; light-energizable counter actuating meansmounted in said auxiliary chamber in juxtaposition to said light passingopening in said extension-whereby light passing through said, openingwill activate said light-energizable counter mamas actuating means forindicating the speed of rotation of said shutter; andspeed regulatingmeans connected to said motor for regulating the speed of rotation ofsaid motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

